Christian Thought Through Advaita Ved Nta

This pioneering work harmonizes Hindu Vedanta philosophy with the Christian vision of the Word made flesh through the Spirit of God's love. An introduction to the Vedic scriptures which shows that God has also lavished his riches on non-Christian people and how we must relate ourselves to these other sources of truth. “Without Christianity I don't think the oriental religions, Hinduism and Buddhism, can answer the needs of the modern world. But without the enrichment of the mystical tradition of Asia I doubt whether the Western Churches can really discover the fullness of Christ which we are seeking.” (Bede Griffiths)

How is the Supreme Identity of Hinduism related to the hypostatic union of Christianity? Does the "pure" spirituality of the East complement the "practical" spirituality of the West? What is the relationship between Oriental quietism and Christian deliverance? The anonymous author of this work, a Cistercian monk, wrote these short but profound reflections out of an earnest desire to bring aspects of the Hindu tradition to the attention of a Western readership. With a subtle care for detail, he clarifies the relationship between the hypostatic union embodied in the person of Christ and the Supreme Identity of Atma and Brahma, two distinct notions seemingly opposed in certain respects but curiously compatible in unexpected ways. With characteristic humility, the author writes: 'We will say unequivocally that after more than forty years of intellectual reflection on this doctrine, we have found nothing that has seemed incompatible with our full and complete faith in the Christian Revelation.' Given the attraction Indian thought exercises on contemporary Western spirituality, these pages offer the Christian a welcome deepening of access to the spirit of the Hindu perspective. The radical disparity that seemingly exists between the phrase 'I am Brahma' and the sacred formula of the Eucharistic consecration 'This is my Body' melts away, allowing these separate worlds to shed new meaning on each other. The author outlines conditions leading to a doctrinal accord between the Advaita Vedanta and orthodox Christian doctrine. He writes at one point that although these two traditional perspectives 'do not pertain to the same order of Reality, hypostatic union and Supreme Identity are not in themselves metaphysically incompatible. . . . What order links them together, because all that is real must be integrated in one way or another into the universal order?" For Western readers, this work offers a better understanding of Hinduism in light of the Christian experience and suggests a better application of Christian principles within our modern lives in light of the profound spirituality of the Eastern tradition. Concerned with a more accurate interpretation of non-duality in the light of Christian philosophy and experience, the author creates the right conditions in which East meets West through an interpretation and analysis of their respective spiritual philosophies, how they differ and how they can become an expression of the perennial philosophy that unites these two distinct traditions.

"This study in comparative mysticism (originally given as lectures at the Sorbonne) explores the relationship between Hindu mystics (notably Shankara and Sri Ramakrishna) and Christian Carmelite mystics (notably St. John of the Cross), using jnana, bhakti, and raja yogas as a basis for comparison as well as the sacred scriptures of both traditions."-- Publisher.

It is quite natural to find similarity in the religious insights (darsan) of Hebrews and Aryans on fundamental concepts. Scriptures are many; but God is One. In Scriptures we find the essence of the search for God. Man's search for God need not be without mistakes. Because man is a being with limitations. The fulfilment of man's search for God is divine revelation. "e;What can be known about God is plain to them because God has shown it to them"e; (Rom. 1:19). This divine revelation is beyond religions. And without such revelation, religions are incomplete. But religious insight and divine revelation are two separate things; not the same. Both need to be unified. When man's thoughts and perceptions are surrendered to divine revelation, this unification is complete. Dr. Koshy Abraham, through his book 'Christ in Ancient Indian Thought' that showed the essence of the Vedas, has given a fresh lease of life to the comparative studies of different religious scriptures to find their similarity. His studies have literally produced a healthy excitement among the enlightened readers. Generally, the Vedic scholars also agree with Dr. Koshy's ideas. In any case, it is an undeniable fact that Dr. Koshy has brought about a movement in the sphere of religious studies. His works have to be read with concentration. And only those who have fairly good knowledge of the Veda, can comprehend the truth evident in his books.